3 Shelters for Clients — Lesson From the Garden

Shelters for Clients

Shelters are part of good client care — offering a protective environment. Clients’ environment would include confidentiality, prompt attention, candid communication. A ‘shelter’ or tent of solid intention would protect the client environment for the entire time you and the client work together.

Recently I read a post at The Legacy Gardens about Big Top tent protective environments for young plants. I could see some correlation to the way clients’ environment could be nurturing and safe during the business relationship. A relationship which in itself should go on for a long time due to the way my services have strengthened the client’s business, Internet presence and marketing processes.

The Gardener has a short term system that permits the plants to thrive during their infancy, but be strong when mature. This aspect appeals to me when thinking about methods that can nurture clients to make them strong businesses in the Internet and ‘real’ world.

Big Top Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a serious element in the relationship. When we work with a client ‘in the cloud’, we seldom see one another. The occasional ‘video visit’ is still ‘at a distance’. More effort is required to solidify trust. My part is to assure the client that confidentiality and protection of information are high priority. Knowledge of pertinent business information or personal information may be an integral part of the relationship. I won’t be giving information about the client to other clients or associates of the client. Shelters of confidentiality are essential.

Big Top Prompt Attention

Responding promptly to clients’ communication contributes to a healthier relationship. Working with more than one client frequently means I am not immediately available for in-depth consultation. Or, even emergencies. But, I can respond with that information with a quick phone call or text. When the entire conversation is email, responses can still be prompt. Prompt is not another word for IMMEDIATE, It is simply soon enough to show that I am in touch with the client offering the resources I have agreed upon. The shelters of promptness are built on consideration of the client — good customer care.

The prettiest promptness is that which is offered as the FIRST contact.

Staying in regular contact with the client

Not waiting until I hear a call for help

The sort of prompt attention that I want my clients to know they can depend upon. When they have an issue coming on them, they can count on regular contact to deal with it along with the comfort of knowing I am aware of them when there is an emergency.

Big Top Candid Communication

I don’t want to offer silly “yes-man” services. I want to be clear, undisguised and straightforward. If something wont work, my job is to speak up and say so. To have a candid communication reputation with the client. Then he knows I’m not just throwing up smoke to get out of doing stuff.

Candid can include “I’ll look into it.” with the reputation that I will be researching that matter and returning with some findings. And not hiding negative findings along with the positive.

The little tents mentioned at The Legacy Gardens, offering protection for the gardener’s baby plants are cute. But they are probably too confining for my clients. I will operate under a more open Big Top offering an environment which will benefit their business. And from that success will come my own.